A while back, we became aware that studio friends Jay Farrar and Anders Parker were putting together a record of songs, based on the words of Woody Guthrie, with music they composed on their own. One thing led to another, and the next thing you know…Jim James and Will Johnson have jumped on board – and a record is created. John Agnello did some of the mixing here at Headgear Recording Studios, and we are proud to have been a part of this project. Below is a press release:

On the year of the centennial celebration of Woody Guthrie’s birth year, New Multitudes is being released on Rounder Records as a 12 track release (CD or LP) and a 23 track deluxe, limited edition 2 CD package. The limited edition features original Guthrie lyric sheets, the 12 track release, and 11 additional compositions recorded by Farrar and Parker. Under the invitation of Nora Guthrie, Woody’s daughter, to tour the Guthrie archives, each of the four songwriters were offered the chance to plumb and mine the plethora of notebooks, scratch pads, napkins, etc. for anything that might inspire them to lend their voices and give the words new life.

Musically, it is the sense of collaboration that makes New Multitudes not just another trite and traditional acoustic regurgitation of back porch blues. From the ragged jangle of its opening track, “Hoping Machine”, the loping lilt of “Fly High”, the floorboard stomp of “No Fear”, to the lush warmth and sudden sonic gut punch of “My Revolutionary Mind” the cohorts deliver a lesson in discovering a song’s sweet spot. It’s the function and preparedness of each artist’s dogged work ethic gleaned the old-fashioned way; veracious songs, road weary odometers, and sweat stained live shows, all attributes of the man they are honoring.

Once again, John Agnello (@john_agnello) is at the helm of the Trident 80C for the mixing of the new Son Volt (@sonvoltmusic) album. This one is sure to please long time Son Volt fans, as well as new converts. We are happy to have Jay Farrar an Co. back at the studio, for the first time since 2005’s Okemah and the Melody of Riot.